Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,114 per month in Adama vs $1,030 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,756 per month in Adama vs $1,424 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,399 per month in Adama vs $1,818 in Jimma, rent included.

Adama costs about 8% more than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Adama and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Adama 17% lower, Jimma 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.05 ETB 477

$4.72 ETB 737

-35.38%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.58 ETB 5,561

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.04 ETB 788

Cappuccino

$1.28 ETB 201

$1.19 ETB 186

7.56%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.67 ETB 105

$0.60 ETB 94.0

11.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ETB 48.66

$0.44 ETB 68.6

-29.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.01 ETB 158

$1.21 ETB 189

-16.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 ETB 463

$1.48 ETB 231

100.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.46 ETB 228

$1.17 ETB 183

24.79%

White Bread (500g)

$1.27 ETB 199

$0.40 ETB 61.8

217.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 ETB 332

$1.13 ETB 177

87.61%

Eggs

$2.52 ETB 393

$4.26 ETB 665

-40.85%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.27 ETB 1,137

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.73 ETB 2,145

$11.59 ETB 1,812

18.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.38 ETB 2,091

$11.66 ETB 1,823

14.75%

Apples (1kg)

$6.79 ETB 1,061

$2.28 ETB 357

197.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.02 ETB 160

$1.15 ETB 180

-11.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.23 ETB 349

$3.48 ETB 544

-35.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.92 ETB 144

$0.61 ETB 95.1

50.82%

Potato (1kg)

$0.63 ETB 98.2

$0.61 ETB 95.1

3.28%

Onion (1kg)

$1.91 ETB 299

$3.52 ETB 550

-45.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ETB 110

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.63 ETB 98.5

$0.55 ETB 86.5

14.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.92 ETB 613

Wine (Bottle)

$5.74 ETB 896

$6.97 ETB 1,090

-17.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 ETB 162

$1.19 ETB 185

-12.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.82 ETB 284

$1.49 ETB 232

22.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 37.66

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.70 ETB 2,141

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.45 ETB 226

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 45.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.03 ETB 317

$1.79 ETB 280

13.41%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 ETB 202

$1.75 ETB 274

-25.71%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$54.4K ETB 8.5M

$52.8K ETB 8.2M

3.10%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$54.8K ETB 8.6M

$57.3K ETB 8.9M

-4.28%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$162 ETB 25.3K

$64.7 ETB 10.1K

150.75%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.16 ETB 1,900

$15.01 ETB 2,346

-18.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$133 ETB 20.8K

$321 ETB 50.1K

-58.58%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.37 ETB 5,372

Cinema Ticket

$5.87 ETB 917

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$79.7 ETB 12.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K ETB 6.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$48.05 ETB 7,509

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$74.0 ETB 11.6K

$92.7 ETB 14.5K

-20.13%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ETB 14.7K

$141 ETB 22.0K

-33.16%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 ETB 18.1K

$114 ETB 17.8K

1.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$496 ETB 77.6K

$212 ETB 33.2K

133.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$304 ETB 47.5K

$162 ETB 25.4K

87.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$982 ETB 153.5K

$422 ETB 66.0K

132.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$813 ETB 127.1K

$326 ETB 51.0K

149.45%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,341 ETB 365.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,196 ETB 186.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$102 ETB 15.9K

$232 ETB 36.3K

-56.18%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

88.89%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Adama: April 27, 2026

Last update for Jimma: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $496 in Adama versus $212 in Jimma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 128% higher in Jimma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Adama vs Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,114 in Adama, $1,030 in Jimma – roughly 8% apart. Adama costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,671 per month in Adama and $1,545 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jimma, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,114 in Adama and $1,030 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 31% more in Adama, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,030, than in Adama at $1,114. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Adama it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Jimma – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Jimma. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Adama makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.